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The middle of the week calls for some smiles and enjoyment, right? Well this Dan Croll video to the Baardsen remix of In/Out will give you 4 minutes of joy, I promise. One, the remix is awesome. Two, the video is simple yet has a lot of character. It’s crazy how personality can go a long way, no need for special effects. So sit back and embrace this one.

Mos Def has been up to some weird ass shit lately (sorry, I mean Yasiin Bey, but did anybody actually follow through with his name change?)

Mr. Bey has had a history of being political through his bars, but this definitely takes to a whole ‘nother level. In the below video, Mos Def demonstrates what he says is normal procedure over at Guantanamo for force feeding detainees.

It’s a pretty excruciating sight to see, so if you’re not into the gnarly stuff, I’d stay away.

What do you guys think of Mos’ actions? An admirable stand, or a cry for attention?

There are so many bands on the cusp of success; some bands make it, some bands don’t. For a band to make it, they need to have their ducks in a row and um, all of their eggs in one basket. Robby Hunter Band has done these things–not recklessly but quietly and methodically. Their music is beach-tinged, summer heaven with hints of Caribbean flare. The video below is funny and self-aware and right in time for the season of the sun. This is music for you to zone out to with a Corona and lime, a bathing suit, and the girl of your dreams. Check it out, and err… dibs on the model in the video.

If you haven’t downloaded Chance the Rapper‘s Acid Rap yet, you’re missing out on what might be the independent release of the year. Yes, it is that good. There was a secret track on the mixtape called “Paranoia” featuring LA producer Nosaj Thing. Both artists came together for an interview with Yours Truly to talk about the track and where it came from. Watch the interview below and stream the track after the jump.

With every song, every time I get in the booth I want to record it 40 different times so I can see what I really want to do. Eventually I hear the one that I want to use. –Chance the Rapper

There was a time when I thought we had seen the last of Fortune Family. Family’s fall apart sometimes, but sometimes they come back even stronger. Fortune Family fell apart for over a year, but then they did just that; the music they’ve been working on recently is better than anything they’ve released, and this is our first taste of that. Hop’s production has reached a new level, and his and Reef’s lyricism is deeper and realer than ever before. On this track, Hop and Reef discuss their journeys, both as single artists and as a whole, and deliver a glimpse into what happened to the Fam and how they ended up coming back together. I am so glad they did. Watch the video below, and expect to hear a lot from the Fam in the coming weeks and months.

Tyler, The Creator is talented. He writes, directs, and produces almost all of his material and seems to be constantly improving and growing as an artist. He also designs all of the Odd Future apparel, which is impressive in its own right (I think he brags about selling socks on the album, rightfully so, but still a rap first)*. His newest album Wolf, which will be out this Tuesday, leaked about a week early, and after a couple of spins, I have to say it’s not great, but maybe that’s because Tyler’s matured as a writer–depending less on shock lyrics and more on storytelling and introspection–and as a producer–embodying the likes of his heroes, The Neptunes and even Toro y Moi. It’s an experiment of growth that might not see its potential until the next album. Still, it’s a necessary next step for an artist at the beginning of his career. “IFHY” is a highlight of the album and even features Pharrell (of The Neptunes). The video treatment is vintage Tyler (under the moniker Wolf Haley) in that it’s an endlessly creative mindfuck.

*He also designs his own album covers and has a TV show, but I got tired of listing stuff.

My introduction to Stars was hearing “Take Me to the Riot” from their 2007 album In Our Bedroom After the War. I remember being mesmerized by their rich, enchanting, and almost conversational approach to indie rock music. I was in middle school when I realized how late to the party I was. After meticulously scrolling through the band’s back catalog, I became a true fan, and the Canadian group basically soundtracked my angst-ridden teenage years. It’s actually kind of amazing how the Toronto natives have maintained such a high level of quality through SIX full-length albums. For years, I’ve been listening to Stars, putting their songs on mix CDs for friends, and driving aimlessly with their music in the background. For these reasons, I’m very proud to present a video of a stripped-down performance of a highlight from their latest LP The North.

Bonus! Stream the entire The North LP.

Denai Moore hadn’t crossed my radar before this evening, but I stumbled across this absolutely stunning song and video on Disco Naivete and knew immediately this this song would stick with me for a while. Aside from the simple piano acoustics and the sheer beauty of Denai Moore’s voice and harmonizations, what hit me the most were the lyrics of the song. I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but clearly that’s what really sucks me in with music. Yes, it’s essential to me that it presents itself well sonically, but if the lyrics strike a chord with me–if it’s relatable or is emotional enough to feel real–that’s when I’m really touched by a song. That’s the case with “Gone” by Denai Moore. Watch the remarkable video below, and I encourage you to watch for the pain in not just Denai Moore’s voice and eyes, but also to notice the simplicity in the product and direction of the video. It mirrors the message of the song: simple yet real. You can also hit the jump to read my best stab at all of the lyrics. If you can read through them all without feeling at least a small shudder of sadness, you might be a robot.

“Gone” is the second single off of Denai Moore’s upcoming EP Saudade coming out April 22. Hear the first single, “Flaws,” after the jump.

Had enough of Justin Timberlake yet? No. The answer is NO. Never. First there was Suit & Tie, then there was Mirrors, then his full album stream of The 20/20 Experience, then there was History of Rap 4 with Jimmy Fallon, now a medley of JT’s biggest hits. This shit right here is my jam. Seeing the man himself playing the music, sing, and–the best part of it all–dance is inspirational. You can have great singers, but if they can’t dance or put on a performance on stage, they’re not going to make it far. That’s part of what has gotten Justin Timberlake so far. It’s what is helping Macklemore make it so big right now. The energy is contagious. I’m able to ignore the weird faces that JT makes when he sings because I’m awed by his dance moves. And the fact that he legitimately looks like he’s having fun. Add to that the addition of Kanye West and Jay-Z lines into this performance, and you’ve got the recipe for…another hit. This is too good.

After a full week of appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake and host Jimmy Fallon finally performed the anticipated History of Rap 4. These things just never get old. Included in this year’s performance are Notorious BIG, Macklemore, Eminem, Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Lil Bow Wow, Sir Mix-A-Lot, 50 Cent, Nelly, A Tribe Called Quest, Wiz Khalifa, Trinidad James, and more. I need to get drunk with these fellows…we’d have a fucking ball. Their Macklemore moves are my typical dance moves, I think.

Also, I’m not sure how many of these I’ve posted, but for kicks, here’s History of Rap 2 for your viewing pleasure.

Earl Sweatshirt is back at it with a video directed by Wolf Haley, Tyler, the Creator’s alter ego. The song starts hilariously with Tyler saying that people think the Earl wouldn’t go back to his “vintage” sound now that he released Chum and got “all personal.” The thing that amazes me about Earl’s lyricism on tracks like this is how seemingly random the words maybe be, yet how deeply metaphorical they can be at the same time.

This video has all the makings of the Odd Future of old–ridiculous, unexplainable things (why is that old women in a tutu), disgusting, sickening actions, and an overall “I’m confused but that was dope” vibe. That, combined with Earl spitting the way he was after he released EARL back in the day, should please both new OF fans and those who have been there for years. I’m looking at you, Jamarcus.